Testgate: A primer on Formula 1's latest scandal

Pirelli and Mercedes got together, and now it could get ugly.

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Formula One is embroiled in what could be the biggest controversy since the infamous "Spygate," which resulted in McLaren's exclusion from the 2007 Formula
One Contructor's Championship and a $100M fine.

The current uproar revolves around Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 and Pirelli conducting an illegal secret test ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. Since the start
of the 2013 season, Mercedes has been fast in qualifying but struggled in races, with severe rear tire wear. In Monaco, no such problems arose and Nico
Rosberg took the victory.

"Testgate"

On May 15 to 17, Mercedes and Pirelli conducted a three-day test immediately following the Spanish Grand Prix. 1000 km of testing (about three races'
worth) was performed using a current 2013 Mercedes chassis in the presence of the Mercedes team and its current drivers. Pirelli supplied 2014 development
tires, but crucially, it also included the 2013 "Canada Spec" rubber that teams will run in Montreal two weeks from now.

Mercedes ran a new rear suspension in Monaco, but there's no way of knowing whether they tested this and other new parts in Barcelona or not.

The Rules

The FIA expressly forbids testing
"Between the start of a ten day period which precedes the start of the first Event of the Championship and 31 December of the same year (art.22 F1
Sporting reg.)"

with the following exceptions: eight promotional filming days limited to 100km and using a designated tire, four days of straight-line aero testing, three
young driver tests, and one day on a non-championship track.

Pirelli Contract

The supply agreement between Pirelli and the FIA, despite the test ban rules, allows each team to request a 1000km test, but only with a car at least three
years old. Ferrari ran one such test after Bahrain but with its 2010 car.

Protests

Red Bull has been the most aggressive in its public statements against Mercedes and Pirelli, and was joined by Ferrari in a protest with the FIA.

The FIA

Following the Monaco GP, the FIA issued a statement confirming the legality of a special 1000km tire test with a current car, provided such test be run by
Pirelli with a Pirelli driver, not by the team supplying the car, with all teams having the opportunity to participate in order to ensure fairness.

The FIA went on to say that neither Mercedes-AMG nor Pirelli notified anyone of the test, and that the matter would be brought up before its International
Tribunal for possible sanctions.

What now?

Penalties Mercedes-AMG could receive range from a fine to exclusion from the Championship. This puts the current struggle between the commercial arm of F1
and Jean Todt's FIA into the spotlight, because on the commercial end, Bernie Ecclestone is obviously interested in keeping Mercedes happy and involved in
the sport. Pirelli's contract as F1's tire supplier is also in play. It's still isn't signed for 2014, and the Italian manufacturer faces a PR nightmare if
it's seen as leaving the sport under a cloud.